Welcome to the Department of Anthropology

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Are you interested in excavating the remains of an ancient culture? Have you ever pictured yourself analyzing forensic remains at a crime scene? Are you interested in how and why societies in the past and present have varied in their customs and ideas? If you are interested in helping solve problems related to disasters, homelessness, crime, ethnic conflict, as well as problems related to the cultural understanding of health and illness then anthropology may be the degree for you.

The East Carolina University Department of Anthropology offers a global view of human evolution, adaptation and culture to promote a better understanding of the archaeological, biological, and cultural aspects of human diversity. These studies foster respect for the biological as well as the ethnic and cultural diversity present in human populations today. Housed in the newly renovated Flanagan building, the anthropology space includes classrooms and laboratories as well as a library and computer room for student use. Students also receive individualized advising and the opportunity to work closely with faculty members on various projects. Each student takes a research methods course in his or her area of concentration and can choose upper level electives of interest. In addition to classroom instruction, the department offers field schools for archaeology, bioarchaeology, and cultural research, internships options and the opportunity to do honors thesis research.

With roughly 100 majors and about 15 faculty we are a modest sized department that can give students individual attention. As a special emphasis, the department supports curriculum development and faculty research and service into the prehistory, history, and lifeways of eastern North Carolinians. In addition, we have faculty actively involved in the archaeology of the Middle East. The Department of Anthropology also offers courses that examine the evolution, ecology, and behavior of primates and the placement of humans within the Order Primates.There is an active Anthropology Student Organization and chapter of Lambda Alpha Honor Society in which students can develop leadership skills and enjoy social activities. Our faculty members are active in ECUs global classroom program where students can take a course in cross-cultural understanding that involves interacting in real-time with students in at least three different cultures during the semester. Finally, our graduates pursue a variety of careers including education, business, and forensics. Some of our graduates successfully continue their education in graduate school.

Congratulations to all of our new graduates in Anthropology! The graduation ceremony was held on Friday and was well attended by family and friends. Thanks to all of our faculty and staff that helped make the event a success! Check out one of our featured graduates interviewed on WNCT!

The Anthropology Student Organization (ANSO) raised $750 during a bake sale over 3 days for earthquake survivors in Nepal. Proceeds were sent to Direct Relief, a nonprofit which works with local Non-Governmental Organizations: http://www.directrelief.org/emergency/ Thank you for everyone's support!